Visualizing Cyberpunk 2077 as a severely flawed product requires a significant mental leap, considering the polished experience available in 2026. However, a mere three years prior, that was the stark reality. Through relentless iterative enhancements, the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, and a colossal financial investment, CD Projekt Red executed a remarkable redemption arc. The studio transformed one of the most infamous launch fiascos in video game history into what many players now regard as a premier role-playing game (RPG) masterpiece. While the journey to fully restore the developer's pre-launch prestige may continue, the team has undeniably compensated for the tumultuous introduction and is poised to embark on its next ambitious ventures, having declared the game's state as finally satisfactory.
That sense of fulfillment is not merely corporate speak; it resonates within the development team itself. During a recent investor briefing, Adam Kiciński, the chief strategy officer, articulated this sentiment. He disclosed that the active maintenance crew for Cyberpunk 2077 has been scaled down dramatically. Presently, a skeletal team of only 17 developers remains dedicated to the title, a clear indicator that CD Projekt Red believes the foundational title has reached its intended, stable form. This minimal crew signifies the conclusion of major development cycles for the base game and its expansion, allowing the vast majority of the studio's creative and technical talent to funnel their energy into future projects.
This strategic reallocation of human resources provides a fascinating glimpse into the studio's current pipeline. The primary beneficiary is Project Polaris, the codename for the next core installment in The Witcher saga. As of the latest briefings, over 400 developers are now concentrated on this fantasy RPG, successfully meeting the studio's internal staffing target for the summer period. This massive team size underscores the project's scale and priority within the company's portfolio. The studio emphasizes that the open-world design of Polaris will build upon lessons learned from both past challenges and successes.
Beyond the realms of monster slaying, the future of the Cyberpunk universe is also taking shape. Project Orion, the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, currently engages 47 developers. While this team is smaller compared to Polaris, it represents the foundational group crafting the initial vision and technology for the next journey into Night City or beyond. In a parallel development stream, 37 developers are working on Project Sirius, an innovative title set in The Witcher universe but developed by The Molasses Flood, a studio under the CD Projekt umbrella, hinting at a potentially different genre or gameplay approach. Furthermore, a dedicated team is pioneering Project Hadar, the studio's first entirely original intellectual property (IP) since its inception, shrouded in exciting mystery. The remaining personnel support these projects through shared services like localization, quality assurance, and engine development.
This level of operational transparency is particularly noteworthy and welcome, especially in the aftermath of Cyberpunk 2077's launch ordeal. It fosters a sense of trust and clarity with the player community. While the revelation confirms that major new releases like Polaris and Orion are still years from launch—making the wait an exercise in patience for eager fans—the detailed breakdown at least provides a realistic framework for expectations. The studio’s journey from crisis management to confident forward planning marks a significant chapter in its history, setting the stage for its next generation of narrative-driven, open-world adventures. The legacy of Cyberpunk 2077, therefore, may ultimately be defined not just by its revival, but by the stronger, more structured development philosophy it instilled in its creators for the future.
Summary of CD Projekt Red's Current Project Distribution (2026):
| Project Codename | Franchise / Type | Approx. Dev Team Size | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Live Game Support | 17 | Core support concluded; minimal team for maintenance. |
| Project Polaris | The Witcher (Next-Gen) | 400+ | Primary development focus; major open-world RPG. |
| Project Orion | Cyberpunk Sequel | 47 | Early development phase for the next Cyberpunk title. |
| Project Sirius | The Witcher Universe | 37 | Being developed by The Molasses Flood; likely a different format. |
| Project Hadar | New Original IP | (Small Team) | CDPR's first all-new IP; currently in conceptual stages. |
| Shared Services | Company-wide Support | Remaining Staff | Includes QA, localization, IT, and engine teams. |
What does this mean for players? In the immediate term, the era of substantial, game-changing updates for Cyberpunk 2077 has drawn to a close, though the game stands as a complete and highly recommended experience. Looking ahead, the studio has clearly learned from its past, adopting a more measured and transparent development strategy. The concentration of talent on Project Polaris suggests it is the nearest major milestone on the horizon, while Project Orion will require more time to bake. This multi-project, long-term roadmap demonstrates CD Projekt Red's ambition to become a multi-franchise powerhouse, all while hopefully avoiding the launch pitfalls of the past. The wait for these worlds will be long, but the studio's renewed focus on quality and stability promises that the final products will be crafted with care and precision.